France

Paris

Black-Owned

Parisian author and director K Gloire Savula Mbongo, also known as Regloi, has a knack for storytelling, particularly for creating poetic narratives.

Operating across various disciplines – such as fashion and music – he has collaborated with renowned brands and media platforms such as AMI Paris, 

 and Puma, as well as notable artists like Lous and the Yakuza. Regoli is also the creator and host of the Spotify podcast 

 where he engages in conversations with French artists about music, history and sociology.

"Paris is a big, curious space where there’s always something to do," Regoli says, "like to see curiosity as a sometimes incoherent exploration which at moments takes us to unexpected places." 

He adds, "The richness of the cultural offerings of Paris and its suburbs are ideal for this. In a very fast capital like Paris, these cultural experiences sometimes appear like a breath of fresh air. In some of its places, time seems to stand still. Thanks to them, we let ourselves be carried away and we stroll, we get inspired, we understand, then we feel Paris."

In his guide, Regloi lists out 10 places where we can experience moments of inspiration and stillness, to take in the best of Parisian culture.

When I was younger, I worked as a receptionist. I took the opportunity to look at the exhibitions and that is where I discovered cinema culture. This place offers complete experiences around the seventh art with a cinema, a museum and a library dedicated to the seventh art. Being around cinema offers retrospectives and a vision of it that is not uniquely Western-influenced. As a self-taught artist, this place helped me a lot to consolidate my culture of cinema. I am starting a feature film project for the first time, and going to La Cinémathèque Française helps me a lot.

A place where you can find different maps of the world, old books and engravings dating from different centuries. It's fascinating to see how each one tells something of its time. The iconographic aspect is also interesting; many cards present various drawing techniques and colour palettes. A small shop full of curiosities with books from the floor to the ceiling.

IBKKI is a creative studio created by two designer friends, Azel and Youri, who work their pieces with artisans from the Kabylie mountains. To further immerse yourself in their world, they offer ceramic workshops to learn modelling techniques and tame colours. A great experience!

This museum is the former house and workshop of the sculptor Zadkine. I discovered it while skipping classes when I was at law school, which was on the same street. The permanent collection of sculptures presents works sculpted in different materials: wood, stone, earth, etc. The entrances of natural light enhance these different works. The garden is also very pretty, a beautiful place to read and write… or skip classes.

One of the most inspiring places in Paris in my opinion, much more than a store.  It is a real place of life that celebrates African cultures with contemporary accuracy and always with authenticity. The vision and cutting-edge aesthetic of the founder, Youssouf Fofana, makes it a unique space. There, you will find rare and inspiring works and design objects. Maison Château Rouge, through its prestigious collaborations, has contributed to making the African district of Paris shine throughout the world, and makes an entire generation of young Parisians proud.

I enjoy going there to continue to deepen, in an artistic and playful way, the little knowledge I have about architecture. Numerous exhibitions allow you to understand the architectural dynamics of Paris and its metropolises.

The best stand-ups from Paris and the world go through there. The Sarfati is more than a comedy club, it was thought of as a work of art, imagined and created by the stand-up comedy artist Fary (one of the GQ Men of the Year 2023 – congrats bro!). The main room is notably designed by JR. So you can laugh, chill and eat there with a very good menu curated by chef Freddy’s Kitchen.

A beautiful tea room which, to be honest, was one of my best date spots, but since dates have been rare in my life for a while (sniff sniff), this place ultimately became one of my favourite spots to work. The immersion in Iranian culture is complete – from the decoration to the dishes and drinks offered there.

If you want to learn more about Swedish art, go for it. If you want to eat good Swedish pastries, go for it. I go there mainly for one of these two reasons. I won’t say which one in order to preserve my “museum culture credibility”.

A contemporary theatre at the edge of the Canal de l’Ourcq, which offers quite curious performances. I don't always appreciate the programming, but it always leads to reflection and submits original proposals. I like going there to see things that take me out of my comfort zone.

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Explore the Quieter Side of Paris with Regloi

Diadié Diombana

 to highlight the businesses that are changing the cultural fabric of four key cities: from London to New York via Paris and Berlin. Here, we have Diadié Diombana on his favourite cultural spaces in Paris.

As one of the most important fashion capitals, Paris is known for its style, its sense of sophistication. This seeps into every cultural field, including its culinary scene. One Parisian chef making waves within the culinary arts is Diadié Diombana, otherwise known as Freddy’s Kitchen.

From a young age, the chef cooked for his family and when he found himself at his first apprenticeship, he knew he’d found his calling. The audience is always at the centre of his creations. Combined with his penchant for unique dining experiences, it’s this person-centred and innovative ethos that has seen him previously land a role as Madonna’s live-in chef for a six-month period.

For his travel guide, he shows us how best to experience Paris. From studios to restaurants via community-focused spaces, here’s a selection of travel tips you won’t get anywhere else.

 to access all four travel guides and more.

Squarespace

Red House is a great studio space to rent if you’re into music and the arts. I know a lot of artists in the music industry, so I heard about it from some friends. The materials and the furniture are incredibly [well] designed – the whole space is really specific, unique and modern. Every single room has been thought through well which gives it a calm and inspiring energy [in which] to create.

MCR is located in Château Rouge in the 18, which is a place with a big community of West African people, so it’s a big shout-out to African culture. This place helps to reconnect with my origins through their choice of traditional fabrics and materials, whilst in the meantime staying modern and progressive.

This place is special because of my friendship with the owners – make sure to ask for Crislaine! Cheval D’or has a long story about being the same restaurant for a long time. It still looks the same in places; you can see the outside still has the bright lit signage of its previous occupant left unchanged. If you want to spend a good time in a restaurant without too much “chichis” and want great food, good ambience, good service – you have to go. I would always recommend going on a Sunday.

Le Servan is the spot to go to if you’d like a romantic date or maybe with someone from your family. The architecture has a real pleasant Parisian style and the menu always changes as they only work with seasonal products. I recommend trying everything – it’s always delicious!

Maison Château Rouge

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